title: Kin, daytime associations, or preferred sleeping sites? Factors influencing sleep site selection in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
abstract: Chimpanzee nesting behaviours and the factors that may influence these behaviours are rarely studied in captive settings. In the present study, the daytime associations, sleeping site selections and nesting groups of 11 zoo-housed chimpanzees over a 29-day period were analysed. Neither daytime associations nor presence of kin influenced sleeping site selection in females. Daytime associations did influence sleeping arrangements in males. Nighttime spatial arrangements and individual preferences for specific sleeping areas were broadly comparable to nesting patterns reported in free-living chimpanzee communities. In the interests of captive ape welfare, we conclude that exhibits should incorporate multilevel nesting areas and a choice of several potential sleeping sites.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychology, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK. louiselock25@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Louise C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lock
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000502:physiology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009425:Nesting Behavior; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep; D012919:Social Behavior